Thursday, May 23, 2013

Sometimes it's all about that feeling you get when you look around and realize you may not be the fastest, or the strongest, but you've done miles around those who have yet to begin.

That feeling when you're ready to throw in the towel, then you remember it is not your body giving in, it's your mind; you refocus and continue fighting.

That feeling when you are acutely aware of your heart beating in your chest and you smile, because you have a new appreciation for life.

That feeling of the wind on your face as you rush past all of your old expectations of yourself, and embrace new challenges.

That feeling of freedom as you let go of the excuses and focus on the real honest truth...

You. Are. Able.

Fight for it, live it, and never let it go.

This is how I am feeling tonight, and as I train for the Spartan Race in June, these words will be in the forefront of my mind. As I ran down by the river tonight, these thoughts began to loop, and I decided to share them. Never question your abilities; from what I've seen, the only true disability is an unwillingness to rise above and conquer. This is my focus. What's yours?

Friday, May 17, 2013

Hope everyone out there is doing well, and enjoying the summer-like temperatures (finally)!

As
you have probably assumed from my lack of posts, I am back in the thick
of classes. It's all good though, by the end of June I will officially
be able to say I have completed all course requirements for my undergrad
degree with the exception of my internship. Awesome.

Well,
enough about that. This morning, as I was considering the essay lurking
over me (waiting to attack), I decided I wanted to go down by the river
for a run. Prior to doing so, I downloaded a few new songs to my ipod
for inspiration. My music choices were a little all over the place, to
say the least. We're talking a little Linkin' Park, some Florida Georgia
Line, Kelly Clarkson, and for nostalgia's sake, a little Creed and
Savage Garden! Who wouldn't want to run to a completely ridiculous music
line-up such as that? I know I did.

It was gorgeous down the by the river today. Maybe a little bit too warm for a nice jog, but I am definitely not complaining! It was around 11am when I finally got to the train bridge (my starting point) and I was eager to get going. I have a Spartan Race in June I need to be training for, after all. I decided on a route that's somewhere in between 3-4kms and got at it.

As I jogged along, I was thoroughly enjoying my new playlist, and fully reveling in the joy of an active lifestyle. There's something so awesome about passing other joggers coming from the opposite direction and exchanging smiles... knowing a few years back I never would have been caught dead attempting to jog in public; now I jog quite comfortably, and have little regard for what people passing me may think. I'm just happy to be out there on the trail, even if I stop from time to time for short walking breaks.

Anyway, back to my playlist. As I was cruising along, Savage Garden's "Affirmation" began to play in my ears. I used to listen to this song when I was in high school, and I don't know what came over me to put it back onto my ipod today, but I am glad I did. Here's the part I particularly loved today:

I believe the sun should never set upon an argument

I believe we place our happiness in other people's hands

I believe that junk food tastes so good because it's bad for you

I believe your parents did the best job they knew how to do

I believe beauty magazines promote low self-esteem

I believe I'm loved when I'm completely by myself alone

I believe in Karma what you give is what you get returned

I believe you can't appreciate real love 'till you've been burned

I believe the grass is no more greener on the other side

I believe you don't know what you've got until you say goodbye

Interesting, don't you think? I think it's really true sometimes that we really do put our happiness in the hands of others. How often are we just happy for ourselves without that happiness being tied directly to somebody else in some way? As I jogged today, I was happy because I was out there being active of my own accord, doing sometime good for me. I thought about how often I compare myself to others, and for the moment I was listening to the song, I didn't care how fast or how slow I was going, I cared only that I was on the right path, and I plan to stay there.

I also think the part about beauty magazines couldn't be more freakishly accurate. We hear it over and over, seemingly all the time... tired subject? I still don't think so. I'm so sick and tired of seeing girls starving themselves for a body type that's impossible to attain. We all have different frames, and different builds. Even if I dropped a disgusting amount of weight (which, by the way, I don't want to), I would never look like any of my friends. Why? We have different frames, and our bodies hold weight and muscle completely differently. I think girls would do well to respect what their bodies are capable of over what they look like. I have a body that serves me well for lifting heavy things, and participating in power-related movements. Though I love jogging, I will never be super fast and efficient at it, but that's okay. It's the body I have, and I love what it can do with it. I will continue to push myself, but I will not compare myself. I will enjoy what I do, and appreciate who I am.

Otherwise, I love the chorus to this song. If I were to sum it up, I would probably say simply to live life to the fullest and appreciate who are you and what you have. Never assume somebody else has it better than you do. Open up those arms and embrace what you have. Be glad for it.

As I ran like a freak over the train bridge at the end of my jog
(I'm terrified of heights), I recalled all I have to be thankful for,
and I got into my car feeling immensely satisfied (and thirsty!). It made me want to share. I hope
this has inspired some of you in some way to re-evaluate your
assumptions and appreciate all of the great things you get to experience
every day.